HE HAS way too much to say for himself. And often his mouthy, Rangers-related outbursts are the cause of serious embarrassment.

But Josh Windass is well used to the eccentricities of his old man by now.

Yes, the 22-year-old midfielder may have blushed a little the other day at the mention of dad Dean’s latest public offering – urging Mark Warburton to build an entire Rangers team around his boy – but the truth is the apple hasn’t fallen far from the tree.

Like his father, Windass Jnr is no wallflower.

He proved as much at Celtic Park last Saturday when he swaggered into the eye of a derby day storm and survived with his reputation greatly enhanced.

Of all Warburton’s players, Windass was the only one to walk away from the thrashing feeling justifiably satisfied with the level of his own performance.

Read More

And today he will hope to cement his status as a key component in the manager’s team.

Asked about his dad’s assertion that Warburton shouldn’t just be selecting the youngster but shaping a team around him, Windass rolled his eyes and smiled: “I don’t know where he’s coming from with that.

“I’ve told him a million times not to speak.

“But he can say what he wants, it’s up to him. Listen, he’s not going to say I should be on the bench.” Embarrassing dads are one thing. Humiliating derbies are quite another.

Windass has spent the last few days dealing with both. But he knows he threw down a marker. And that his big chance has now arrived.

He added: “Yes, I was happy to play well against Celtic but I’d rather play terrible and us win. Losing 5-1 was tough to take but it was my first league start for Rangers and to make it in an Old Firm derby was a dream come true.

“I was happy how I did. I haven’t played in an atmosphere anything like that before. It was way better than I expected but I wasn’t fazed by it.

“After the game I just wanted to play it again the day after. We lost the game but, experience and everything, I loved every minute.”

Read More

If Windass’s name is not on the team sheet today against the Staggies then the gaffer’s judgment will be called further into question.

The kid himself isn’t short of confidence, saying: “I’ve always believed in myself. Last year at Accrington I believed I was the best player in that league. People might say it’s big headed but that’s just how I am.”

And he added: “I play the way I’ve always played and it doesn’t matter if it’s in the street or at Celtic Park.